Improved surface-condenser for steam-engines



`in a manner Well known,

N .Unire-n STATES- PATENT .rosnrrrr. `rrnsson, or new Youn, n.` Y.

1 'lvnorieation forming part oi' Letters Patent No q (lated April 2, 1830.

'OILZZl who/n, if .1n/afl] concern.: -4

Be it known that I, Josnrn l?. Irnssox, of the city, county, and State ofNeW York, have invented a nen7 `and useful Apparatus for Condensing Steam; andI do hereby declare the following to be affull, clearand exact descriptionof the same, reference being had to the yannexed drawings,makiug a part of this specification, in which-d Figure l is a side elevation. y Fig'. 2 is atop View. I1`ig. 3 ,is a'longitudinal section. Figs. 'l and 5 are views showing variationain the construction of the same apparatus. Fig. G is a view of a common condenser.

"Similar letters refer to similar parts ,unlessl specially noted to the contrary.

`Bly invention consists in certain improvements `in condenscrs for steanimachinery, whereby' the boilers used for generating the steam shall be. supplied with pure Water', or Water freed from saline or other fboreign sub stances. y

To condense steam to water it must be. brought in Contact with some element of' less temperature than itself, and the extent and rapidity with which it can be effected will be as the diiference of temperatures and the conducting quality of the condensing element. The yusual modes of condensing steam, Where it is used as a motive power, are by allowing it to escape into the air, by inj eeting it into a -`vessel or vessels which are kept at a low temperature by immersion in cold Water or acurrent of air, the steam being cooled by contact -with the metal, and by injecting .it into vesn sels in which `it is brought in direct contact with a jet of Water.

In the first instance the water resulting from the condensation of the steam is lost'. In the second it is retained in the vessel in which itis confined, unmixed with any other substance. In the third it is retained, but is mixed with the water used for .condensing it. Condensingengines are those which employ one or the other ofthe two lastf described plans. In marine-engines, -or Where salt or other4 impure water is employed lfor condensing the steam, this latter plan involves the loss ofthe fresh Water,res`ulting therefrom and consequently either the boilersniust be supplied with bad water or asupply of pure .Water 4must bespe- In most eases this cannot be cial-Ly provided.

and at d by the channel in the bedplate.

accomplished, as it has been found impossiblev to carry a sufficient quantity to last for ,any great length of time. This being the`case,atl

tenti'on was early (in the history of the steam-y engine) given to perfecting the second mode named herein--viz., the condensing of the steam by radiation in closed metallic vessels kept submerged inwater. In this plan the boilers are to be first filled Ywith pure water. The steam, being condensed back to Water, is thus caught aprlreturnedto the boilers, to be used over and over again, the leakage and Waste being supplied from reservoirs provided with an extra quantity, or by distillation. 'Ihe steam being condensed n vacuo, the external surfaces of these vessels are thereby subjected te the pressure of the atmosphere, and also to the pressure of a column of water proportioned to the depth at which they are immersed'.

In Fig. (3 is a View of the usual mode of conp structing this kind of condenser. a. is a cluster of pipes (that being the best 4forni to resist pressure) inserted in two flanges, l). The ends of the pipes are covered at c' by a cap. e is a tank to hold the Water for condensing, which fiows in and out, as indicated. f is the er haust-pipe for conveying the steam tobe condensed, g, the air-pump. The steam is thus condensed by coming in contact Withihe cold surface of the metal, the pump g maintaining the vacuity ofthe pipes by removing the wa' ter as fast as it accumulates in the channel d, and also anyc air `or external surfaces ofthe tubes are subjected to the pressure of the air, and also to that of the column of Water in which they are immersed, as before named. |Ihis mode of .condensing steam has these diflieultiesto contend with,

and which have been found insuperable. The

alternate heating and cooling of the metal pipes, consequent upon the periodic inj ectious of the steam, Icauses a series of expansions and contractions to be continually going on. In addition to this,the great pressure upon them soon produces fractures in the various joints and seams, which at once destroys the Whole operation, as the vacuum can no'longer be maintained from the flowingin of the air and also of the water, which is fatal to the whole operation.

Having thus stated the peculiar character rieten.

other gases; hence the A tight as possible.

ofthe old modes of condensing steam, I shall now proceed to describe my improvements and to set forth wherein they diter from all others.

At the letter h is represented a box or case composed of metal, and of to resist the pressure of the atmosphere, and 'is also to be 'made as perfectly air and water In the under side of the box h -there is an opening, i, through which a connection is made by a pipe or channel, k, withan air-pump, Z, ot common construction, as shown in section, Fig. 3. At mis a perforated plate on which the condensing-water is received, andis for the purpose ot' dispers- 'ing it in a manner welll known. At o a pipe and cock are attached for in jecting -the, water for condensing the steam. Into the box thus constructed I next introduce a radiating-condenser'f-that is to say, ,a vessel or apparatus in which steam is to be-condensed by contact with .coldmetallic or like surfaceswhich I make as follows: v

At n, Fig. 3, is seen a number of pipes arranged horizontally, their ends being fixed in plates or ianges of metal having holes perforated to receive them. Next, I cover the ends of the tubes by attaching caps p and r to these plates, as shown in section, Fig. 3. The tubes thus arranged are vintroduced within the box h, as shown. In the cap pthereis an opening made at s to receive the end of the pipe which yconveys the steam to be condensed, which pipe is seen at s. The steam-pipe s is bolted to the outside of the box h. by a iiange, the end passing through vand made to enter the cap .p

through the hole s, as shown. ecap p is dividedv into Atwo compartments by a partition, p', the object of which is to cause the steam to traverse through two sections of pipes.

MoreLpartitions may be introduced to insure full and equal distribution of the steam to each pipe. v

At t-is shown a pipe connected with the lower side of the cap p,which passes through the boxz, having a tight joint where it comes out. This pipe terminates in a pump, u,'the use of which is to pump away the water resulting from the condensation of the steam, and which collects in the bottom of the pipes and caps. l

.At wis an opening in the lower division of the cap p, which forms a passage from the pipes to the interior of the box, the use of which will be described more fully. This opening w is to have a door or valve over it of common construction, which may be opened or closed by a handle from the outside of the box h, the'handle working through a stuffingbox in h. l

I have described this part of my invention as being made of tubes or pipes chiefiy,but it is obvious that other forms may be substitutedas sheets of metal, coils of pipe, 86e.

The operation of this part of my invention is as follows: The engine being started in the usual manner,the exhaust-steam ows through p, and thence into the' the Apipe s into the cap suiiicicntl strength 'ments of my condensing cluster of pipes a. At the same time a jet of cold water is Aadmitted through the injectioncockA o on the perforated plate m, from which it falls in a shower upon the pipes mand thus, by a-well-known law, at once condenses the steam, the water resulting being collected in the bottom of the pipes 'and caps, the large pump l removing'the condensing-water as fast as it accumulates from the box h and maintaining the vacuum, the smallest pump u removing the water resulting from the condensed steam inlike manner. The condensing-water is allowedy to flow oft' as fast as discharged from the pump Z, but the water taken from th'e'pipes is retained for the feed td the boilers. The use ofthe aperture w is for the purpose of maintaining an equal pressureon each side of the pipes, or rather to prevent them from being subjected to any pressure either internal or external. This can be made Supposing the orifice w apparent as follows:

closed and cold water admitted in quantity l suiicie'nt to condense apart of the steam only,

the vacuum in thebox' it will be evident that h will be better than the vacuum in theA pipes, and the dii'erence will be as the volume of uncondensed steam. Now,if we open the door or valve over the aperture w, a portion of the steam in the pipes will at once4 rush through and extend itselfl throughout th'box -huntil an equilibrium is produced. -Solong as the steam is fully condensed, and also the opera- -tion ot' the pumpsl and uequal, thenof course the radiating-condenser n will be subjected to the same pressure, both external and internal, or rather will not be the orilice w be kept closed The use of t-he opening w, therefore, is to'insure the preservation ot' the equilibrium in cases where the steam is not fully hondensed, or where the pumps fail towork equally, pressure being-sustained by vHaving now described the box h, the principal eleapparatus, except some of its modifications, (to be mentioned hereinafter,) I will next describe an apparatus for making up any deiici'ency in the supply of pure water which may other means of waste. i At x, Figs. l, 2, 3, is seen a tank standing upon the top ot' the condensing-box h, @(,but may be put in any other convenient-place.) This tank must be air and water tight, and also capable of sustaining atmosphere." A

At'g/ a steam-pipe is attached, which may terminate on the inside in a coil or cluster oi' pipes or other chamber for holding steam, as shown. The lower in a pipe which the tank at y', as shown. z is a tank x, the opposite end in the hot well passes out through the side of and empties into another pipe,

of which terminates of the air-pump l or other vreservoir containing a supply of .the water in be evaporated.

subjected to any, evenif the atmospheric arise from leaks and the pressure of the end of this coil terminates l pipe attached to the lower side ofthe e' is a pipeattacllcdto the upper side of the tank It is bent so as to pass down through the top of the box h, to which' it is bolted by a flange, the endterminati-ng so as to discharge into the 4cap p of the inside condenser, as

z" is a pipe v"attached vto the tank a, near its bottom, by one end, and by the other to the box h, so as to discharge .into it. To put this apparatus in operation',- t-he engine is iirst set in motion, and' the condensation ot the steam going on, the-vacuum of the box hwill be communica-ted through ,-vto the tank the-interior of which will consequently be lin cacao. The cook in the pipe Le being opened, water from -thehot well Vof the pump "wilii'low ,into .fr by thepressure of the atmosphere,- The tank is to be filled sufficiently to' cover the coil ot' pipes, or as seen at the dotted lines. Next,

steam is to be admitted'through y, the cock y". being -kept closed, (except when Iit is necessary to draus` oft the water which may collect fromthe condensa-tion oi" steam in this place.) By this means thewater in :a will ,be vaporized, thej vapors being drawn oit as fast as' it rises through the pipe e into the condenser s cap p, and thereV condensed along with the exhaust-steam from the engine, so that it serves to make up i'or the loss byleaka-ge, &c., of the iirst supply. where the water 4l'or generating the steam is impure or salt, some mode. is required for keeping the tank a: clear ol the deposit ot' these impurities, as by evaporation all these inust` collect in the eva-poratingvessel, according to laws well known. To remedy this, l connect the eva ioratine-vessel with the box 7i b Ya .n l p1pe,z said pipe enterlng the evaporator near its bottonnand discharging into box h, as. shown.

A cock or valve is also tit-ted into said pipe tofregulate the rate of discharge,

- which takes place by gravity alone. -As the y two vessels are alike in meno, the saturated ,water will iiow `through the pipe z in the same manner -as44 it' .e and h` were both open vessels. Il' the supply for waste -is to be made p "up from salt-water, as in sea;going Steamers,

then a certa-in quantity of this water must be taken out of the tank by this pipe proportionate to the quantity evaporated, and thus the amount ied through the pipe z must be sut'eient for both the evaporation and the y ring tothe same parts, except when otherwise indicated. This is to show a inode whereby the radiating or surface condenser may be ini- Inersed in the condensingwater, or showered at pleasure, and exhibits, also, avariation whereby the pump removing the water resulting from the condensed steam" may be dispensed 'with 'In this case, when the pipes or other As this apparatus is of use onlyv h, operated fron'rthe outside of the boxli, as

shown. Vlt' the pipes 'n are to be used `sub merged, the valve lo must be closed and valve k' opened. rI'he condensing-water,V being let on through o', iills up the boxV h until the water is ou a line with the opening It', and thus the pipes are in'nnersed. `lt' the pipes ,are to be showered instead, then k must be opened and the condensing-water let on through() onto the plate'm,inthemannerbelbre described. -ill/'hen .this plan is adopted, the aperture for insuring the equilibrium must be placed in such a situation that the condensing-water cannot' enter the pipes. In Fig. 5 it-is shown at the pipe in', and er is the stop or valve for openling or closingI il. i

VThe next feature is a .method of dispensing with the pump u.

A is a tank, air and water tight, and capable of sustaining the pressure ot'l the atmosphere. This is to be connected to t by a pipe, with a valve or cock intermediate, as t'.

At t is a delivery-cock. At ff is an aircock. The'pump n being disconnected, t is to be opened, and thus communication is made and so on. The periodic opening and closing yot' these valves or cocks can be easily arranged to be operated by the worksthemselves.

Fig, It exhibits another arrangement, em-

bodying, however, the same general prinei` ples. The same letters are used to represent similar parts describml in the other iigure's.

The principal variation in the construction oi' this part` of my invention consists informing the box h so that the tubes n shall be inserted in the two opposite sides, as shown inthe dotted'lincs. ln that case the caps p and o", to cover them, are placed outside. lhc injectioncock o is placed at the. bottom and the delivery-pipe k at the top, so that the pipes are shown as immersed in water, but may be showered by making the changes before de-. scribed. 10 .represents a pipe `forming a come,

inunication with the box l1 and the interior ol' the pipes n, for keeping the pressures equal` and equivalent tothe aperture 'uf in Fig. 3, or fw in Fig. Another variation consists in the nianner of removi ng the water olthecomlensed steam, thesame principle being applicable to v removing the condensing-water also. The

pump n beingtaken o`, a pipe; a', isv substituted, which is.,attached to Vthe cap a', where' thewaterfrom the condensed steam accumu-a lates.v This pipe mustv have a" descent Verti` cally' sufficiently great: to cause, the column of water to counterbalance tlieatlnBDheric pressure-say of thirty-fon r feet-and may terniil nate in a reservoir. By this means the gravity,

of the water will overcome the `Vacuum in the pipes, and thus deliver itseltuithout other mechanical aid.l Y .Having thus set forth the several modes in which I contemplate constructing, operating,v

; and applying my invention',` I will state wherein it differs from all others, andthe advantages# to'be' derived frorn'the.y sanfle. 1

l Firsu By arranging the radiating er sur-face l condenser so that itfisf not subjected to the'v pressureof the atmosphere.

. Second'. By reason of which ariangenientthe apparatuses not so liable to be destroyed by 'the great pressure it would otherwise'hayeto sustain;V therefore durability andsafety is increased; 1

Third. small leaks fand fmctreswi1i`i10t a'ect its operation, thie box h beingpex'haus'ted of air or other uncondensible' gases, which are not therefore present to flow :through such apertures, and the condensing-water will not enter. because there is no external pressure upon the pipes to forceit in.;- The Water fall-V ing-upon the pipes by 'grav-ity alone, itstendency will beto ruu'rout' rather than in. Thus,

H where saltor other bad water vis used for condensing, no'admiiture With the pure water of y I the condensed steam will take' place.

. Fourth. Increased'safety', as thefwhole sur- 4 face-condenser might be destroyed in thefbox h without impairing thewvorking of the en#- gine or even arresting its motion. The-cul 'change perceivable would be the loss of fres u water resulting'from the condensed steam; v .This is a most important :feature for sea-going ySteamers.. Inthe foregoing specification I have-Ide.;

scribed-the apparatus arranged generally so f that the condensing-water is appliedy te the exterior surface of the pipes' or radiating-com denserg and although Lprefer this plan, yet a slight change can be made; whereby the con- .'densing-water shall be applied on the inside 0f the pipes or surface-'condensen and the steam-injected in the box it; the pumps l and u being in that case transposed to suit Atlie arrangement. f

. -Wl1fht I claim-as invention, ;and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is f The combination of a ysurface or radiating condenser with a box or casein such a wayf that the condensation of the steam. shall be effectcd therein without subjecting the 'saldradiating-condenser to atmospheric pressure,4 in the manner described.

2,'The aperture w, or its equivalent, for I maintaining the equilibrium and as a'passage` S. HLMAYNAnD, THofMAs H. Woon. 

